Gender Quota Plans for Welsh Parliament Dropped Amid Legal Concerns

Proposals for gender quotas in the Welsh parliament abandoned

Initially, the proposals were intended to be implemented by the upcoming Senedd election in May 2026. However, concerns were raised about potential legal obstacles.

Wales correspondent @TomosGruffydd

Tuesday, September 17, 2024, 11:

Proposals to implement gender quotas in the Welsh parliament have been abandoned.

Initially, the plan was to implement the quotas for the upcoming Senedd elections in May 2026. However, in July, the implementation was postponed to 2030.

In a formal statement issued on Monday night, House Leader Jane Hutt announced that the proposals have been postponed.

There were fears that the suggested law might face judicial scrutiny.

A bipartisan assembly of Senedd members expressed the need for unequivocal assurance regarding their authority to enact the bill.

The strategy has been detached from the enlargement of the Senedd, which involves an increase in parliament members by over 50%, from 60 to 96.

Next week, there will be a debate and vote on a proposal to withdraw the Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill from being considered.

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This coming Tuesday, Eluned Morgan, who assumed the position of Wales' first minister in August, will respond to inquiries from members of the Senedd for the first time since taking office.

She plans to present her governmental agenda following a summer spent touring Wales to engage in a "listening" tour.

The government reiterated its dedication to achieving gender balance in the Senedd, stating that it would pursue alternative methods to ensure equal gender representation.

"Over the summer, we've taken time to reflect and concluded that to effect real change for the 2026 Senedd election, we need to approach the matter differently," stated Ms. Hutt.

She also mentioned that the removal of the bill does not stop individual groups from exploring "what measures they can take" to choose a varied assortment of candidates.

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The Welsh Conservatives, who represent the primary opposition in the Senedd, described the decision as "unavoidable."

They expressed support for a selection method that is "merit-based and determined by the electorate."

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